Physics
Scientific paper
Jun 1991
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1991jgr....96.9689w&link_type=abstract
Journal of Geophysical Research (ISSN 0148-0227), vol. 96, June 1, 1991, p. 9689-9701.
Physics
8
Magnetohydrodynamics, Planetary Ionospheres, Plasma Density, Saturn Rings, Convection Cells, Convection Currents, Diurnal Variations, Field Aligned Currents, Plasma Temperature, Plasmasphere
Scientific paper
The charge state and associated currents of Saturn's C an D rings are studied by modeling the flow of ionospheric plasma from the mid- to low-latitude ionosphere to the vicinity of the rings. It is found that the plasma density near the C and D rings, at a given radial location, will experience a one to two order of magnitude diurnal variation. The surface charge density (SCD) of these rings can show significant radial and azimuthal variations due mainly to variation in the plasma density. The SCD also depends on structural features of the rings such as thickness and the nature of the particle size distribution. The associated azimuthal currents carried by these rings also show large diurnal variations resulting in field-aligned currents which close in the ionosphere. The resulting ionospheric electric field will probably not produce a significant amount of plasma convection in the topside ionosphere and inner plasmasphere.
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